Deyemi Okanlawon

Deyemi Okanlawon
Portrait of Deyemi Okanlawon
Born	Adeyemi Okanlawon (1981-04-19) 19 April 1981 (age 43) Lagos State, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Citizenship	Nigerian
Education	Chemical Engineering, Acting For Film
Alma mater	University of Lagos, Delyork Creative Academy
Occupation(s)	Actor, Producer
Years active	2010 – present
Website	www.deyemitheactor.com

Deyemi Okanlawon Listen^ⓘ(born 19 April 1981 in Lagos, Nigeria) is a Nigerian film, television, theatre, and voice actor.^[1] He is widely recognized as one of the most dynamic talents in the Nigerian film industry, earning the distinction of being the highest-grossing Nollywood actor of 2020 and 2021, according to the Film One Box Office report.^[2][3] Deyemi is best known for his roles in Netflix Originals, including Blood Sisters, The King’s Horseman, King of Boys: The Return of the King, Lisabi, as well as major blockbusters like Omo Ghetto: The Saga,^[4] Prophetess, and All’s Fair in Love.^[5][6]

Born in Lagos, Deyemi Okanlawon is the son of Adeyemi Okanlawon, an aircraft engineer, and Adeyinka Okanlawon, a baker and entrepreneur. He began his education at Taikenny Nursery and Primary School and later attended the International School, Lagos. He also obtained a degree in Chemical engineering from the University of Lagos. Additionally, he earned a Certificate in Acting for Film from the Delyork Creative Academy.^[7][8]

Okanlawon's journey into acting began at the tender age of five when he starred in a school play. By the age of nine, he had already appeared in a nationally syndicated television commercial alongside industry veterans Kunle Bamtefa and Sola Sobowale. While studying at the University of Lagos, he became an active participant in drama groups. After graduation, he worked as a sales and marketing executive in industries like FMCG.^[9][10]

In 2010, he made his feature film debut in ZR-7 and also starred in the short film A Grain of Wheat. His performances in short films and web series, such as Gidi Up,^[11] Blink, and Knock Knock, gained recognition. By 2012, he had become a rising star in Nigeria.^[12][13]

In 2013, Deyemi made the bold decision to focus on acting full-time. Since then, he has appeared in over 50 films, TV series, theatre productions, music videos, and commercials. His work has earned him nominations and awards from such as the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), Ghana Movie Awards (GMA), BON, In-Short, and City People awards.^[14][15]

In 2015, Okanlawon founded Covenant Entertainment Services, a full-service production advisory, marketing consulting, and talent management firm. The company later served as a consultant for Silverbird Film Distribution. In 2019, Deyemi took up the role of marketing manager at Silverbird and then the head of Nollywood and independent movie distribution. In 2020, during the pandemic, he briefly stepped in as acting CEO before returning to acting full-time in 2021.^[16]

Deyemi's range as an actor was further demonstrated in 2017 with his performance in the romantic comedy-drama Scars, directed by Tope Alake, where he starred alongside Lilian Esoro and Chelsea Eze, marking his entry into the romantic comedy genre.^[8][16]

In 2020, he played a supporting role in Omo Ghetto: The Saga, which became Nigeria's top-grossing film, earning over ₦187 million, according to the Nigerian Box Office yearbook.^[17]

In 2022, Okanlawon appeared in Blood Sisters, Nigeria's first Netflix Original Series, which premiered on 5 May 2022.^[18] He also starred in Elesin Oba: The King's Horseman, the first Yoruba-language film to be showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival. That same year, he received his first Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) nomination for Best Actor in a comedy for his role in Omo Ghetto: The Saga, further solidifying his place in contemporary Nigerian cinema.^[19]

In 2024, after a decade in the industry, Deyemi leveraged his extensive sales and marketing expertise and his on-screen experience to produce his debut film, All’s Fair in Love. This romantic comedy, starring Timini Egbuson and Buhle Samuels, achieved tremendous commercial success, grossing over ₦130 million at the West African box office. The film was also licensed to Prime Video, where it became the second most-watched Nollywood title of 2024.^[16]

Deyemi's second film Three Working Days premiered in Nigerian cinemas on 18 October 2024. Directed by Ikechukwu Jerry Ossai and produced by Bleeding Art Production in collaboration with FilmOne Studios, the film is a heist thriller that follows a father's quest to secure a stable future for his family amid an economic crisis. The cast includes Nancy Isime, Femi Adebayo, Uzor Arukwe and Mike Ezuruonye.^[20][21]

Okanlawon got married in January 2013.^[16] On 10 July 2016, Okanlawon and his wife Damilola welcomed their first child.^[22]